Pat's Schoolhouse

[pummanuel]

Hi DC Mummy and Kovankitty


There was a positive comment by Beagle (Pg 9) which you can refer to.

My daughter is in PG (AM) at Pat’s Serangoon and I’m very happy with my choice.

I was overseas when I was selecting a preschool for my girl and relied on recommendations from my friends who are teachers (1 Pri and 1 Sec, both teaching famous girls’ schools). They scoured through various preschools before settling on Pat’s (1 Serangoon, 1 Buckley). They told me of the many preschools they visited, Pat’s curriculum was the best as it blended in very well with MOE’s, preparing the child well for the local system. I chose Serangoon as it was only 10 mins drive from my home.

Like DCMummy, when I first visited the school to finalise my registration process (I applied through internet initially), I was shocked at how old the school was. I called up my friend to complain. Haha…But when school started, I realised I made the right choice.

For the first 3 days of school, the class was divided into 2, 8:30-10am (for 1st group), 10:30-12am (for 2nd group), so that the 2 teachers will be able to spend more time with the children and also not to overload the students with 3 hours when school just started, since many of them will be crying on the first few days. I was very lucky as my girl settled in immediately. She didn’t even turn back to look at me. Most of the students settled in within a week and many parents were pleasantly surprised at their children’s eagerness to attend school.

Her teachers were great. However after a few months, the English teacher had to leave as her husband was posted overseas. The school arranged for a new teacher and the old one trained the new teacher on the job for a month before deciding if she fitted the bill, which meant the children had 3 teachers then. When the decision was made, the English teacher informed us personally of the impending change and an official letter was written by the Principal, informing the parents of the new teacher’s qualifications and experience. I thought this was an excellent transition. Though the students missed the previous teacher, they had little problems with the new one. Also, when the teachers take turns to attend courses, there will be a relief teacher, hence at all times, there will be 2 teachers. A few months ago, the English teacher started to sms all parents on updates, etc and parents can also call her to ask questions. I don’t as I felt paiseh to disturb her during non-working hours. I’m not sure if this is a school initiative or the individual teacher’s.

Curriculum wise, they had lots of arts and crafts. In fact, I had to buy a big box from Ikea (the cloth one in children’s dept) to contain all her crafts as my girl is very proud of her works. At home, she will also use papers, scissors, scotch tape to make presents for her friends and even an aeroplane for her father as he travels a lot, so she made one for him to travel in. The teachers also used many creative methods to teach the children. I’ve seen Chinese teachers squatting on the pavements, drawing shapes and writing chinese characters with chalk. The children had lots of fun with chalk then. Seeing that, I did the same with my girl at home.

Like what Augmum said, the school inculcated in her a ‘I can do it’ attitude, which can be quite a handful at times, as she wants to try everything.

And I’ve also fallen in love with the school premises. It has a nostalgic feel. Not many preschools can offer such a big and open school environment. It’s like a mini pri school. The PG has a little podium of their own, and so does nursery. For K1 and K2, they share the same building but with their own corridors. And they have a big playground for them to run about. There is a great sense of belonging.

Principal wise, I find Ms Wee very efficient and friendly. At least the parents I know are pleased with her.

Due to my daughter’s dietary restrictions, I bring lunch to her school pretty often and wait for her in the school, so I get to see the teachers and staff in action. I have to say I like what I saw. As mentioned above, I will also pick up some teaching methods from the teachers.

I hope this helps in your decision-making.

[DC Mummy]

Hi Pummanuel


Thanks for sharing your experience with us for the Pat schoolhouse along Lim Ah Pin. It is such a great relieve and reassurance to hear a positive feedback about the preschool as I have already enrolled my child into N1 next year.

It will be a full day programme and Pat schoolhouse is going to implement an extended day programme for those who opt for full day. With the positive comments that I have heard about pat school, I am really looking forward to see how my child progress next year:)

Hoping that the teacher in charge of N1 is great as I always believe that they play an important role (beside parents) in the child’s interest and development in learning due to long hours.

The only thing bad is about the strict pick-up timing, before 6.30pm…half an hour earlier than most of the preschools / child care centers.

[gohjscat]

Dear all,


Just wondering if anyone has feedback on Pat’s Schoolhouse at Meyer Road?

Thanks.

[slacker]

Hi. Can someone tell me what are the fees for half day and full day sessions at Pat’s? Thank you.

[DC Mummy]

Hi Slacker


Pat School House Fees for 2010 (Before Subsidy)

Preschool \t Monthly Fees with GST ($)
Half Day Afternoon\t $823.90
Half Day Morning \t $963.00
Extended Half Day $1,177.00
(7.30 am to 3.00pm)\t
Full Day \t $1,284.00
(7.30am to 5.30pm)
Extended Full Day \t $1,391.00
(7.00am to 6.30am)

[smilingqueeeeen]

Can someone share with me the experience that you have encountered with the chinese principal??


Thanks.

[arielle08]

Hi,


I heard that there is this term break period, something like school holiday whereby the kids will go there to play and no lesson is conducted.
Isst true?

If so, can we opt out of that period?
Since the fees is on the high side, i would prefer to opt out, if possible.

Also, i have enquire abt the school bus service and was told tat for 1 way transport ( i will be bringing her to school but need someone to send her bac)
it will cost $200.

i am surprise tat the bus fees is so high.
Is this the norm or its because this is a branded school…

[Busymom]

After term 4 ends (which is around 3rd week of Nov), the school would have what they call Holiday Program. There are still lessons proper (albeit at a more relaxed pace?), and for those who are on extended program in the afternoon, the lessons continue as well. The holiday program would end around 2 weeks before year-end. From then on, it’s just childcare service that they provide. Officially, the childcare service should be available till end of the year. Usually however, we are told by the teachers to avoid sending our kids to the school during the last week, as there would be spring cleaning and what-nots, which may not be very nice for the children if they are there. Also, during this last 2 weeks, all the children who still go to the school would be grouped together (as there are probably not many) and looked after by a couple of teachers.


For the June holidays, the pure childcare period is just during the last week. There is no break for March and Sept period.

Note also that the school bus stops its service once the holiday program ends, but you would still need to pay for the entire month.

I used to do the 1-way school bus arrangement too, as we were able to drop DD off in the morning when we went to work. It’s true that there is not much difference between the 1-way and 2-way bus fare. So by opting for 1-way, the bus fee is relatively more expensive. As we stayed rather near to the school, coupled with the fact that we needed some flexibility with the pickup time, we eventually got our maid to fetch her instead. I think the cab fare is probably $5+ per trip as compared to the monthly bus fare of $140 or $150.

[arielle08]

Hi Busymom,


Any idea if we can pull out from the holiday program and save 1 month of school fees?

Thanks so glad for highlighting on the bus services payment.
I am also deciding if i should just ask my caregiver to pick her by cab or via bus service.
Guess i am more decided now, better take cab
At least when she is not attending school for the last mth, she dont have to pay for the bus services.

I am glad there is no term break for mar / sep
i have enquire some other preschools, was told they have 1 wk \"school holiday\" in Mar. So i thought that is the norm.

Any idea if there is any forum or links for pat's parents which i can join?
It will be great to have such forum where Pat's parents can voice out their concern and update each other about the recent happenings.

[dfstan]

after reading this thread on Pat’s Schoolhouse, wondering how are the teachers at halifax as some posts mentioned the good ones has left. Anyone whose kids currently in Pat’s at Halifax can comment on the teacher capability and quality please?


thanks!